Guardian (British journal) has included island Rab among the ten of the most beautiful Croatian islands,
with the remark that Rab is the best place for naturists. For sure it is not the most important criteria
for including Rab among the most beautiful Croatian islands, but the reason for this remark probably lies
in the fact that the first nudist beach, Paradise Beach, has been opened on the island of Rab in 1934,
and because the British king Edward VIII, took a bath without clothes, on the beach Kandarola in 1936.
The island of Rab is a part of the Kvarner bay archipelago, which is situated in the northwestern
part of Croatian Adriatic sea.
Opposite of island Rab is mountain Velebit, from where fresh
and clean continental air comes, especially with strong northern wind
called 'bura'. On the northeastern side of the island is Mount Kamenjak,
which protects Rab of strong 'bura' from Velebit.
Rab has around 247 sunny days a year, 140 days with temperatures over 18°C.
The average temperature in summer is about 24°C.
Area of Rab, together with the smaller islands, is 93.6 km2. Maximum length of the
island of Rab is 22 kilometers, while the width is 11 kilometers. Island of Rab has a population of 9500
inhabitants, which are mainly engaged in tourism, agriculture, fishing and shipbuilding.
Rab is one of the most unique islands: 40% of it is under forest.
City of Rab
St. Kristofor square is situated at the entrance to the old town of Rab.
On the square there is a fountain with the two statues, Kalifront and the shepherdess Draga,
figures from the legend of chastity and a forbidden love.
The old town of Rab is a typical medieval urban center majority still surrounded by old walls.
The old town of Rab is dominated by four bell towers in the Romanesque style.
Over many Renaissance and Gothic portals there are emblems of noble families,
which proves that the beauty of the island of Rab was valued in ancient times.
Walk through Rab is also a walk through history. The basis of the city dates from Roman times,
but today the city is characterized by the appearance of the Romanesque style.
In ancient times, evidently, the island of Rab was interesting, because of its
natural resources (oil, salt, wood, wine, silk) and the strategic position.
By the number of sacred objects we can conclude that Rab was also the spiritual and
intellectual center. Today, Rab lost the importance that it had throughout history,
so this is a small town, which revives in summer, because it is the center of entertainment
and cultural events on the island.
Clear sea, many diverse beaches, lush greenery, cultural events,
gastronomic offer and nightlife make the island of Rab perfect place for a vacation -
organized tourism is the island of Rab tradition 120 years long.
Banjol lies halfway between the town of Rab and Barbata.
One part of Banjol is located on the hillocks above the road, and the
other part is down by the sea and is located in the four bays called Padova. Padova (protected bays)
during the day are full of swimmers and in the evening it is full with boats returning from fishing.
Villas along the beach, the small ports on the coast, sight of the old town with the bell towers
and promenade stretched along the coast, makes Banjol a place where everyone returns.
In third 'padova' there is a camp 'Padova III' with different sports facilities.
Barbat
The first place which you will see after you pass fantastic denuded Misnjak is Barbat,
place with ferry port, located 4 km from the city of Rab.
Barbat is situated on the southern coast of the island of Rab, in the safe Barbat channel,
attractive to boaters and surfers.
Barbat is outstretched by the coast, which is marked by a large number of small waterfronts.
There are many gravel beaches, of which, especially emphasizes Pudarica.
Of the many historical and cultural sights, we should point out the remains of early Christian church,
the early Romanic church of St. Damian, from 12th or 13th century, and the ancient Greek military fort.
With its sandy beaches and the little island Dolina (Valley) Barbat attracts many tourists, especially yahtsmen.
Kampor
Perhaps Kampor is the place on the island of Rab, which mostly kept the appearance
of an old fishing town, filled with new houses aimed for the tourists.
Population is, together with tourism, mostly engaged in fruit growing.
The proximity of the Kalifront forest, long beach, and beautiful bays are characteristics of Kampor.
If you want to enjoy a quiet holiday, away from noise, Kampor is the right place.
Entertainment can be found in the tourist village Suha Punta, 2 km away, and in
the city of Rab (6 km away). At the entrance to Kampor there is the old Franciscan monastery - St. Euphemia.
Lopar
Lopar, in its the way of life and speech, retained the thickest connection with the past.
Lopar is very diverse. With a rich and fertile valley,
surrounded by the numerous bays and 22 sandy beaches,
it offers the best requirements for swimming and sunbathing.
Of all these beaches, the most popular one is widely known a natural beach Crnika -
Paradise Beach, over 1500 m long, besides which there is a hotel resort and campsite 'San Marino'.
Lopar is also famous for its natural phenomenon - underwater cave 'Medova buza',
which was a habitat of mediterranean monk seal, where weddings are organized for lovers of sensation.
Sands, shallow and warm waters, dense forests and shades are especially attractive to
those who come with small children.
Lopar is place of origin of stone carver Marin,
who has set the foundation for the state of San Marino, on the Mount Titano.
Mundanije
Mundanije are the only major settlement on the island, which is not located by the sea.
It is located below Kamenjak, the highest hill on the island. Sea is close to Mundanije on each side.
In the rich and fertile valley, vegetables and fruits are grown in a traditional way,
by its residents, and green products in the town market mainly originate from this place.
If you want to enjoy in a natural healthy food during your holidays, visit Mundanije.
Restaurant 'Dionis' is recommended.
Palit
Palit is a town partly located along the bay of St. Euphemia, closed by semi-island Frkanj.
Forested Frkanj lures tourists with its somewhat wild nature and coves.
Frkanj is naturally continued with peninsula Kalifront, covered by protected forest of indigenous oak tree.
From Palit you can take a boat to the nudist beach Kandarola,
where the British royal couple started the tradition of naturism on the island of Rab.
In the Palit there is also a new business centre of the island, called Mali Palit (Little Palit).
Supetarska Draga
Place has been named by the church and monastery of St. Peter,
from the XI century. Church / Basilica of St. Peter is the oldest Romanesque church in Croatia,
and its beauty attracts the faithful and fans of art.
The bay in which Supetarska Draga lies consists of two parts: Upper and Lower dear.
Supetarska Draga is famous for its specific beaches, which are mostly
sandy and protected from the wind. As such, attract many tourists, especially families with children.
Beaches are also the habitat of many birds, migrating birds spend the winter here.
Maritime is a tradition of residents of Supetarska Draga.
Marina, good restaurants, service hosts, and beautiful beaches are guarantee for a holiday to remember.
History of island Rab
It is difficult to reconstruct when Rab was inhabited, because early inhabitants of Rab
left rare tools in caves on the island.
Single grave monuments show that the Illyrian tribe Liburnians lived here.
In their time, probably the first settlement was established on the site where
today is the city of Rab. Liburnians were in good relations with Romans, and on the city walls is written that the Emperor Augustus, 10 BC, gratified Rab citizens with upgrading their city walls. Inscription “Felix Arba”, preserved in the amphora, is the evidence of the official name of the town, and of the general welfare of that time.
Later, when the Roman Empire weakened, Rab experienced transformation - Christianity
suppresses old cults.
After a short Ostrogoth domination, East Roman Emperor Justinian had build a
forts on the island of Rab, of which the ones in Kampor and Barbat are well preserved.
About the arrival of the Slavs cannot be much said, except that none of the villages on
the island does not have a Slavic name. The first written traces of the XI century, shows
that Croats slowly took all places on the top of the Rab society.
Through the centuries, about which so little is known, Rab citizens developed
their economy far beyond their neighbors. At that time Rab had a power which could only be measure with Zadar.
Rule of the Byzantine Empire was recognized on Rab for a long time, but since 880.
Rab is paying a tribute to Croatian rulers.
From the beginning of XI century Venice was against Croatian authorities on the island of Rab.
Rab agrees to pay tribute to Venice in large quantity of silk.
Neighboring islands paid their tribute in marten or fox skins.
This means that Rab had developed trade with Byzantine or their own production of silk.
Written information about the production of silk dates from the XVI century, but it is not excluded
that the production started much earlier.
All this resulted that the Rab citizens were so enriched,
by the XI century, that they could start building a large interventions.
In less than two centuries three bell towers raised, one tower was build at
the entrance to the port, cathedral was renovated and expanded,
three Benedictine and Franciscan monastery were built.
Venice dominated Rab, with a short suspension, up to 1797. Slowly, it started waning
the economy and wealth of the island of Rab.
Occasional epidemics of plague, Venetian economic policy, as well as
the later arrival of the Turks on the slopes of Velebit and the arrival of a
large number of refugees, wars with the conquerors - all this weakened Rab.
After the Napoleon destroyed Venice, Rab got a new master – Austria. Stagnation continued under Austrian government.
The twentieth century brought new troubles - many Rab citizens were killed as
victims of fascism or as partisans, or recently as defenders in the homeland war.
Agrarian reform almost destroyed bourgeois class on the island of Rab, but the development
of tourism has brought prosperity to Rab.
History of fishing on the island of Rab
'Rabska fjera', Knights tournament organized by Association of Rab Crossbowmen, folklore heritage are some of the events that guest must visit during stay on the island of Rab.
Rabska fjera (Holidays of Rab)
HOLIDAYS OF RAB or 'week the Middle Ages on the island of Rab' is an authentic traditional
costumed event, which celebrates the memory of the rich history of Rab and traditional arts.
It is held during the days of St. James, St. Anne and St. Christopher (25-27.07).
The old town of Rab, Kaldanac, transforms into a medieval city.
Hundreds of costumed Rab citizens, members of various associations,
are trying to restore memories and to conjure up to the guests, how
the life on the island of Rab once looked like.
The highlight of the fair lasts three days, and takes place in the evening.
Knight tournament crossbowmen
In 1364th Grand Chamber of the city of Rab concluded
that each year seven-day municipal public celebrations will be held,
in honor of the Croatian-Hungarian king, Ljudevit I. Anzuvinian and St. Christopher,
the patron of Rab.
That same year, the first tournament in the Knight crossbow shooting was held.
The ceremony is held on the day of victory, on 9th May (Dies Victoriae),
in the memory of victory that Rab citizens won in the 11th century and 27th
July for the day of Saint Christopher (Dies Natalia) patron of Rab diocese.
Municipal public ceremonies, in the original form, were held until 1852.
Today's Knights game was restored by the Association of Rab crossbowmen in 1995. as a historical spectacle.
There are many interesting gallery spaces and street exhibitions,
and some more cultural events during the summer you can find
here.
City Lapidarium Rab - Local Town Museum
Gallery of the Prince's Palace of Rab
Ethno collection of the Franciscan Monastery of St. Bernardina
Lapidary in the Franciscan monastery of St. Euphemia
HOLIDAYS OF RAB, Knights' Tournament Association Rabskih's dance
heritage of some of the event that the customer must
be an occasion to visit the residence on the island of Rab.
Rabska fjera
HOLIDAYS OF RAB or 'week the Middle Ages on the island of Rab is an authentic traditional
costumed event which celebrates the memory of the rich history of Rab and traditional arts.
held in the days of St.. James, St.. And St. Anne. Christopher (25-27.07).
The old town of Rab, Kaldanac, transforms into a medieval city. Hundreds of
costumed Rabljane, members of various associations, trying to restore and to
conjure up memories of the guests that were once on the island of Rab working,
eating and enjoying. The highlight of the fair lasts three days, takes place in the evening.
Knight tournament crossbowmen
In 1364th rapski Grand Chamber concluded that each year in honor of the Croatian-Hungarian
king Louis I. Anžuvinca and St. Christopher patron Rab diocese introduce seven-day municipal
public celebrations, vacation. That same year, was held and the first tournament in the
Knight shooting bow. The ceremony was administered on the day of victory 9.svibnja (Dies Victoriae)
to commemorate the victory in the 11th century Rabljane and 27 July for the day of
Saint Christopher (Dies Natalia) patron Rab diocese. municipal public ceremony
in the original form held until 1852. year. Today's knights game restored the
Association Rab crossbowmen 1995. as a historical spectacle
Zanimljivi many gallery spaces and street exhibitions, and some cultural events during the summer you can find
here.
City lapidarium Rab - Local Town Museum
Gallery of the Prince's Palace of Rab
Ethno collection of the Franciscan Monastery of St. Bernardina
Lapidary in the Franciscan monastery of St. Euphemia
Let the finding of other restaurants with good cuisine, which don’t have a Web page, be your fun time during your holidays on island of Rab.
Entertaiment and night life
It seems that our islands hibernate like bears, just the bears are awakening before.
Entertainment and nightlife are essential part of the tourist offer, and it
is so also on the island of Rab. Most of the offer is located in or around the city of Rab.
Like any other old city on Croatian coast/island Rab is full of cafes, nightclubs, and bars.
With the start of the main tourist season offer increases a bit - discotheques, nightclubs are opened.
The most famous beach party club is Santos on the beach Pudarica.
This is an ideal place for afternoon and wild night adventure.
During the summer season you can enjoy in the different programs: tournaments in beach volleyball,
performances, Croatian and foreign DJ stars, concerts, fashion shows, and various theme parties.
Famous discotheques are Grand and Tropicana. Night Club San Antonio
during the daily hours operates as a coffee bar,
and in the night it becomes attractive nightclub, which has plenty of
fun events, magazines, parties and other programs.
